Wet and windy start to rollercoaster weather week

Monday, 13 May 2019

New Zealand is waking to a wet week with showers affecting most of the country, especially the capital.

A stormy blast hitting many parts of New Zealand will kick off a rollercoaster week of weather for many.

Much of the country was waking to showers, especially the capital - but it wouldn't last the whole day with the weather set to ease as the morning progresses.

'We're going to see the rain coming fine by the afternoon, that's for most of the country,' said MetService forecaster Toporo Marsters.

Wellington had some strong gusts on Monday morning with Baring Head, along from the harbour entrance, recording 117.7 kilometres an hour, according to Niwa.

READ MORE: Gales, rain hit

Marsters explained there was a very strong southerly flow working its way up the east coast of the country.

Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch and Hamilton could expect similar circumstances with morning showers turning fine by the afternoon.

MetService warned of severe northerly gales in the Chatham Islands until 1pm Monday (local time).

Temperatures across many of the main centres were headed to the mid to high teens, with Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch expecting highs of 19 degrees Celsius, 16C and 15C, respectively. Dunedin was looking at a partly cloudy, cool day with a high of 12C.

Looking inland, areas including Tekapo and Matapouri could expect temperatures to drop to 3C and 1C - however the mercury around the country wasn't expected to drop below zero, with Marsters explaining there was 'nothing dramatic' on the forecast in terms of temperatures.

'Everybody seems to be positive at the moment.'

Throughout the week there will be a rollercoaster of weather, with a better day expected Tuesday, but 'unsettled' circumstances on Wednesday.

'It's mainly fine everywhere except for Fiordland,' Marsters said.

A front moving across the country on Tuesday night will bring south to southwest winds on Wednesday.

On Thursday, it was looking mainly fine across the North Island but showers and south westerly winds are expected for parts of the South Island, from Westland to Southland.